Cape Breton Saddlebags

Female bikers making a difference

The ladies of the Cape Breton Saddlebags bikers club are having the time of their lives. Pictured left to right are Florence Oakley, club president Donna Green, Cora MacRae and Dianne Petten. (Sherry Mulley MacDonald)

When Paula MacKeigan and Cora MacKay first had the idea to organize a women’s biker club, they had no idea they would change the way people see female bikers in Cape Breton.

Both MacKeigan and MacKay always loved riding, each had their own bikes and would tour together for hours a day, a few times a week, all over the Island. In 2008, the two were out on a run and decided to stop at a local coffee shop. They began talking about how much more common it was to see female bikers. They knew they were not alone in their love for riding and decided they would like to try to offer a club dedicated entirely to women.

The men have been doing their thing on the island for years, but there was nowhere for women who shared the same passion to come together. According to MacKay, the club didn’t happen overnight. She said there were a few hurdles that needed to be overcome, not the least of which was getting word out about the intent to start a group for ladies. “In the very beginning it was pretty much just me and Paula. We would meet women bikers in our travels and invite them to join our club. It was a slow process but as time went by, more and more people were hearing about the club just for women and gradually we were getting new members.”

MacKay said a registration campaign got underway and before they knew it they were ready to get the ball rolling on naming the club. Several names were thrown back and forth; one afternoon the two ladies were relaxing during a spa day, they were having a casual conversation about the club and what the name should be. One suggested calling it the Saddlebags, the other said the Cape Breton Saddlebags, and from there the name was born.

For the first few years word of mouth and social media would play a big role in the evolution of the club. It wouldn’t be long before the Saddlebags would begin to make a name for themselves. Members say it is such a great feeling to be a part of a group of women who share something so exciting in common. For years the men have been showing their solidarity toward each other through bikers’ clubs and now women were doing the same thing.

Donna Green is the president of the Cape Breton Saddlebags and she said it is wonderful to be a part of such a sisterhood. She said more and more women own their own bikes these days and there is no reason why they can’t enjoy the ride every bit as much as the men do. “It is always great to see how people react to us as we travel the streets throughout the city. We get such a great response from people, usually we get a thumbs up and people who say “way to go,” the kids really think it is cool,” she said.

MacKay said she is particularly pleased with the respect that is shown to the female riders by their male counterparts. “The men who ride have an understanding of how great the experience can be. They seem to appreciate and respect the fact that as women, we have the same desire to enjoy the experience as they do.”

The club is now 20 women strong. A few members have come and gone since its inception eight years ago, but new up-and-comers are usually ready to take their place. Members currently involved in club activities range in age from early 30s to mid 60s and come from all type of backgrounds.

The mission of the Cape Breton Saddlebags is to promote friendship, sisterhood and goodwill with women who share a passion for motorcycle riding. The group consists of a number of professional and confident women who love and respect each other’s beliefs, the uniqueness of their similar interests and the individuality that being a part of an exclusive club allows. Members believe that they are providing a network of support for women from the everyday stresses of life. They offer other female riders a place where they can retreat and enjoy a drama-free environment where they can just relax and have fun.

Like every noted motorcycle club, be it men or women, the Saddlebags too have a logo, a patch of sorts that each wears as a sign of what the club represents. The symbol most commonly used to represent the bond between sisters is the heart that is woven into a three-point dot — the Celtic sisters knot, the Celtic knot is never broken until the final shape is made. The endless knot symbolizes everlasting love, and a lifelong bond between women. Represented within the crest is the replica of the thistle, a common wildflower found growing in Cape Breton with attributes that while delicate, can also be strong and sturdy. Its defiant ability to flourish against the odds is indicative of the tenacity of the club and the determination of its members to remain relevant. “Our patch simply represents what we experience in being a part of the Saddlebags,” Greene said.

Members of the club meet once a month, 12 months a year. They begin riding when the weather breaks in the spring and continue through to the end of October or when it becomes too cold to ride.

New members are always welcome. The only requirement is that they have their own bikes and have proper license, registration and insurance. “We invite any and all women who own their own bike to join our club. It is fun, we each have a great deal of respect for one and other and we like to give back to our community,” Green said.

Over the past several years the club has made it their work to raise money for numerous non-profit charities including; The Every Women’s Centre, Bikers Down, The Second Chance Society and the Children’s Wish Foundation. Earlier this month they participated in a run to raise funds for the pediatric care unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.

According to MacRae, it is important to support organizations in the community that need a little extra help. “We are so fortunate to live in Cape Breton and we are happy to work with agencies to help those in need. In order to gain the respect of the community it is important to do your part and that is why, as a group, we like to be involved.”

For additional information on the Cape Breton Saddlebags please call 562-1647 or 737-5154.